October 13, 2025 - New York to Hvar, the dream connection, as connectivity to Croatia's premier island just went up a notch.

I am always amazed at American tourists, and the lengths they go to to travel each year on limited holiday time. This year has been another busy one for Hvar Town, and with the October sun bursting into my hotel room as I write this, it is not hard to see why. Americans were the number one visitors to Hvar Town again this year, both in tourism numbers and overnight stays. And it is not the easiest place to get to for Americans.

Until now.

As we reported a couple of days ago, United has announced direct flights from Newark to Split from April to September, 2026, three times a week, which is fantastic news for Central Dalmatia in general, but especially for the jewel of Hvar Town, the top destination for Americans in addition to Dubrovnik.

And with a flight time of just 8 hours 45 minutes, and luxury speedboat transfers with leading hotel group Suncani Hvar Hotels, I calculate that is will be possible to go from the Big Apple to Paradise in just 10 hours, with a little luck at passport control. Finally an elite connection to match the quality of the destination. More information and timetable from the official United press release:

United Airlines Announces Brand New Nonstop Service Between Split and New York/Newark

United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between Split and the U.S.

United is the only carrier serving Croatia from the U.S. and will operate up to two nonstop flights per day between Croatia and the U.S. for Summer 2026

New route is part of United's Summer 2026 schedule announced today - leading the way with more destinations across the Atlantic than any other U.S. carrier

SPLIT, 9 October 2025 - United Airlines today announced a brand new three-times weekly nonstop seasonal service between Split Airport and its hub at New York/Newark, starting 1 May 2026 (subject to government approval). United will be the only airline to offer direct flights between Split and the U.S. and is the only carrier serving Croatia from the U.S.

The new service will join United's existing seasonal daily nonstop service between Dubrovnik and New York/Newark, with the airline operating up to two nonstop flights per day from Croatia to the U.S. for Summer 2026.

"We are excited to announce this further expansion of our route network from Croatia and United's first-ever nonstop service between Split and the U.S.," said Marcel Fuchs, Managing Director International Sales, United Airlines. "For Summer 2026, our customers in Croatia will for the first time benefit from a direct service from Split Airport to the United States, as well as the possibility to connect seamlessly via our New York/Newark hub to over 60 destinations across the Americas. U.S. travellers can explore historic sites, stroll along the palm-lined Riva promenade with entertainment and restaurants or enjoy a day trip to the Dalmatian Islands."

The new route from Split to New York/Newark is part of is part of United Airlines' summer 2026 schedule announced today, with service to four new cities in Croatia, Italy, Scotland and Spain - leading the way with more destinations across the Atlantic than any other U.S carrier. In Summer 2026, United will be the only U.S. airline to launch nonstop flights to four new destinations from its hub in New York/Newark to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The airline is also adding its first service between Washington/Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland, new nonstop year-round daily service from New York/Newark to Seoul, South Korea, as well as an additional four weekly flights, for 18 total weekly flights, between New York/Newark and Tel Aviv, Israel.

As the leader in service from the U.S. across the Atlantic, United is continuing that momentum by serving 46 total destinations across the Atlantic in 2026 and offering more than 800 weekly transatlantic roundtrips in Summer 2026. In addition to new destinations, in 2026 United will continue to serve all nine destinations from its largest expansion ever last summer including seasonal service to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira Island, Portugal; Faro, Portugal; and continue the already year-round service from Dakar, Senegal; Puerto Escondido, Mexico and Kaohsiung.

Across the globe, United will offer more than 850 daily flights to and from over 150 international destinations - including 41 that no other U.S. airline serves - next year.

All new flights are subject to government approval and will be available for sale on United.com and on the United app today.

You can learn more about the magic of Hvar on the official tourism board website.

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New for 2026! New York to Hvar in Just 10 Hours